Express Yourself:The Price of Fairness in a Simple Distribution Game

A simple two-person distribution game similar to the ultimatumgame is introduced. However, unlike the standard ultimatumgame, responders can determine the payoff for the proposerin case of rejection. Therefore, they can express their concerns inmonetary quantities. The experimental data are analyzed withrespect to inequity aversion and intended punishment. The analysiscasts doubt on a single motivation of responders’ actions,but supports a combination of reciprocity and inequity aversion.Based on these findings, the data support a simple model for distributionpreferences based on an increasing price for exposingresponders to unkind offers.